In a dramatic turn of events, Hamas now claims that ceasefire talks with Israel have not been paused, contradicting earlier reports of a suspension. This comes in the wake of a massive Israeli airstrike on July 13 that targeted the group’s elusive military commander, Mohammed Deif, in the Al-Mawasi refugee camp near Khan Younis. The strike, which Israel claims was aimed at Deif and another high-ranking Hamas leader, Rafa Salama, resulted in at least 90 civilian deaths, including women and children, and wounded over 300 others.While Hamas insists that Deif survived the attack and is ‘alive and well, supervising operations’, the Israeli military has confirmed the death of Rafa Salama, describing him as a key figure in past operations, including the 2006 kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that there was no certainty about Deif’s fate, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the strike’s outcomes.The attack on the Al-Mawasi camp, designated as a humanitarian zone, has sparked international condemnation and raised serious concerns about civilian casualties. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that most of the victims were women and children, contradicting Israeli military claims that the strike was carried out in a closed zone managed by Hamas and that most casualties were terrorists.Despite the escalation, Hamas officials state they are willing to resume talks when Israel demonstrates seriousness in concluding a ceasefire agreement and releasing Palestinian prisoners. The conflict, ongoing since October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 38,400 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, underscoring the urgent need for a diplomatic solution.
Key points
- Hamas claims ceasefire talks with Israel have not been paused, contradicting earlier reports.
- Israel confirms killing Hamas commander Rafa Salama in an airstrike that killed at least 90 civilians.
- Hamas insists its military chief Mohammed Deif survived the attack and is supervising operations.
- The strike on a humanitarian zone has sparked international condemnation and raised concerns about civilian casualties.
Contradictions👾Hamas claims ceasefire talks have not been paused, while earlier reports suggested they had suspended negotiations.
👾Israel claims the strike targeted a closed zone managed by Hamas with mostly terrorist casualties, while the Gaza Health Ministry reports mostly civilian victims, including women and children.
